Range and scale of operations

Traditionally, the main considerations for a system of identification for livestock have been cost, ease of application, degree of permanence and legibility. More recently, animal identification systems have also been required to address new areas, including animal welfare, food safety, product quality/consistency and improvements in animal production efficiency. A successful identification programme for livestock would have to function under environmental conditions ranging from the continual confinement and climate control of some dairies (28) to extensive operations where the animals may only be handled once when captured for marketing (37). In addition, the identification programme needs to include hobby operations with one or two animals, flocks or herds in extensive conditions numbering 1,000 or more animals, feedlots with a one-time fill capacity of 50,000 head or more, and all scenarios in between.